Empowering Youth

Through social and emotional education, we help today’s youth become caring, connected members of tomorrow’s society. We also provide a platform for those who have lived in foster care, group homes and mental health placements to share their stories with the larger community. By sharing firsthand knowledge of foster care’s challenges, they can play a constructive role in working with community leaders to find solutions.

SYNC: Sexual Health for Youth in Care

With Health Education Trainers across the state, SYNC utilizes evidence-based approaches that have been proven to reduce the prevalence of teen pregnancy, unhealthy relationships, and STI/STDs, while increasing self awareness and empowering decision making – all needs that are more prevalent with youth in care.

Youth in out-of-home care have higher rates of pregnancy, STIs, and associated sexual risk behaviors than youth living with their families. They are more likely to experience sexual violence and exploitation. Teen girls in foster care are two-and-a-half times more likely to get pregnant, while more than half of both teen girls and boys who age out of care or extend their time in care will have children before they turn 20.

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82%

increase communication with parents about sex and relationships.

5,000+

young men participated last year.

78%

improvement in perspectives relating to healthier relationships.

SaySo®

Speak out today. Make changes for tomorrow. SaySo, Strong Able Youth Speaking Out, is a statewide association of youth ages 14 – 24 who are, or have been, in the out-of-home care system in North Carolina, including foster care, group homes, and mental health placements. The organization works on two levels: 

  1. as a platform for youth in foster care to share their experiences with communities, professionals and policy makers to inform and educate them of the challenges. 
  2. as a support group and educational resource for teens in the system. Through annual events, conferences and programs, SaySo helps these young men and women transition out of foster care by informing them of resources available to them and teaching them essential life skills. 

For more information, to get involved, or to join SaySo for FREE, visit saysonc.org

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Our community is vital to our success. Find out how your time, talent and resources can help more children find and experience loving families.

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